Programme Specification
BSc (Hons) Sociology
Academic Year: 2014/15
This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.
This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.
This specification should be read in conjunction with:
- Reg. XX (Undergraduate Awards) (see University Regulations)
- Module Specifications
- Summary
- Aims
- Learning outcomes
- Structure
- Progression & weighting
Programme summary
| Awarding body/institution | Loughborough University |
| Teaching institution (if different) | N/A |
| Owning school/department | Department of Social Sciences - pre 2018 |
| Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body | N/A |
| Final award | BSc/ BSc+DIntS/ BSc+DIS/ BSc+DPS |
| Programme title | Sociology |
| Programme code | SSUB01 |
| Length of programme | The duration of the programme is six semesters, or six semesters plus one academic year for students undertaking the Diploma in International Studies, Diploma in Industrial Studies or Diploma in Professional Studies routes. |
| UCAS code | L300 |
| Admissions criteria | http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/departments/socialsciences/sociology/ |
| Date at which the programme specification was published | Fri, 07 Nov 2014 16:40:52 GMT |
1. Programme Aims
- To provide an intellectually stimulating environment in which students can develop the critical and practical skills of the sociologist.
- To provide students with the opportunity to study sociology in a multidisciplinary context where the value of interdisciplinary analysis is explored.
- To enable students to gain a broad knowledge and understanding of sociology, especially concerning the relations between personal troubles of milieu and public issues of social structure.
- To enable students to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of issues in sociology through specialist study and research.
- To enable students to learn about the key concepts, theories and methods of sociology.
- To enable students to interpret and analyse social processes and structures.
- To enable students to compare different social arrangements.
- To enable students to address key issues in sociological analysis and in society, including social inequality and cultural diversity.
- To enable students to appreciate alternative perspectives in social science.
- To enable students to appreciate the value of sociological approaches in non-academic contexts.
- To enhance students’ career and employment opportunities on graduating.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
- The Benchmark Statement for Sociology
- Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (2008)
- University Learning and Teaching Strategy
- External Examiners’ Reports for BSc Sociology
3. Programme Learning Outcomes
3.1 Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas:
- Understand basic sociological concepts, such as identity, inequality, social structure and social change.
- Describe and examine classical and contemporary social theories.
- Evaluate contemporary social issues from a sociological perspective.
- Apply a variety of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
- Analyse social diversity and inequality.
- Analyse the relationship between individuals, groups and society.
- Discuss the role of culture, media and representation in social life.
- Explain social change, including from an historical and global perspective.
3.2 Skills and other attributes
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
- Assess the merits of varied social theories and explanations.
- Formulate sociological research questions and select appropriate research methods to answer them.
- Evaluate and interpret research evidence on social life.
- Synthesize and critically reflect on sociological theories and empirical studies.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
- Communicate sociological knowledge in oral presentations.
- Communicate sociological knowledge in advanced formats, e.g. posters, video, oral debates.
- Interpret and analyse sociologically relevant statistical data.
- Design and execute practical sociological research.
- Apply ethical principles in sociological research.
- Use sociological knowledge to find solutions to public and social policy and private enterprise.
c. Key transferable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
- Master basic study skills e.g. referencing, use of databases.
- Locate and evaluate sources of information, synthesize information and deploy it in reasoned argument.
- Communicate and present information e.g. construct written arguments, contribute to group discussions
- Communicate and present information using more advanced formats e.g. prepare posters, write reports, oral presentations using powerpoint, preparation of videos.
- Design and execute research projects.
- Work in teams.
- Use statistical and other quantitative skills, including use of statistical software.
- Manage time and work: plan time and resources independently in the light of deadlines.
4. Programme structure
Programme Code: SSUB01
Important note: No module may be taken and passed more than once. Module availability is subject to timetabling constraints.
Exchange - Candidates may apply to the Head of Department for permission to undertake an approved course of study at either a European University which is a member of the EU approved Sociology Erasmus Exchange programme or any other University with which the University has exchange study arrangements. Such a course of study must be undertaken in place of one Semester at Part B.
Teaching Assistantships and Placements
Candidates following the Diploma in International Studies (DIntS) route are required to spend the third academic year (Part I) undertaking an approved Teaching Assistantship either at a school or other approved placement in a French, German or Spanish speaking country in accordance with Senate Regulation XI. It should be noted that students undertaking a Teaching Assistantship should have a minimum of AS level in the appropriate language, or its equivalent. The equivalent level in the University Wide Language Programme is level 4.
Alternatively students may undertake a programme of industrial training leading to the award of the Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS) or a programme of professional training leading to the Diploma of Professional Studies (DPS) in the UK or abroad in accordance with Senate Regulation XI.
Registration on the DIntS, DIS and DPS routes is subject to Departmental approval and satisfactory performance during Parts A and B.
(1) Part A - Introductory Modules
COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 60)
|
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
Semester |
|
SSA001 |
Introduction to Sociology: Identities and Inequalities |
10 |
1 |
|
SSA003 |
Sociological Imagination |
10 |
1 |
|
SSA208 |
Narratives of Crime and Social Justice |
10 |
1 |
|
SSA002 |
Introduction to Sociology: Global, Social and Cultural Change |
10 |
2 |
|
SSA008 |
Introduction to Quantitative Data Analysis |
10 |
2 |
|
SSA006 |
Understanding Contemporary Societies |
10 |
2 |
OPTIONAL MODULES: Candidates must choose six further modules (total 60 credits) from the list provided by the department which may include the following:
|
EUA620 |
The Contemporary World Arena |
10 |
1 |
|
SSA201 |
Introduction to Criminology and Social Policy A |
10 |
1 |
|
SSA301 |
Introduction to Communication and Media Studies: The Press |
10 |
1 |
|
SSA101 |
Introduction to Social Psychology - Cognition and Social Influences |
10 |
1 |
|
EUA607 |
Introduction to Democratic Government |
10 |
2 |
|
SSA202 |
Introduction to Criminology and Social Policy B |
10 |
2 |
|
SSA102 |
Introduction to Social Psychology: Self in Social Context |
10 |
2 |
|
SSA302 |
Introduction to Communication and Media Studies: Broadcasting |
10 |
2 |
Or other modules in the University’s Module Catalogue approved by the Department for inclusion in the programme, including language modules in French, German, Spanish and Mandarin.
Note that students may choose a relative semester weight ration of 50:70, 60:60 or 70:50.
(2) Part B - Degree Modules
COMPULSORY MODULES
(a) Compulsory modules for candidates taking standard route (total modular weight 80):
|
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
Semester |
|
SSB006 |
Social Research Methods |
20 |
1 |
|
SSB008 |
Classical Social Theories |
10 |
1 |
|
SSB026 |
Sociology in Historical and Global Context |
10 |
1 |
|
SSB032 |
Sociology in Policy and Practice |
10 |
2 |
|
SSB007 |
Advanced Research Methods |
10 |
2 |
|
SSB010 |
Contemporary Social Theories |
20 |
2 |
OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 40)
Candidates not opting for an Exchange Programme:
Students must choose 1x20 wgt option and 2x10 wgt modules from the Departmental Options List. The selection will be as follows plus two 10 wgt language modules.
|
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
Semester |
|
SSB030 |
Debating Society |
10 |
2 |
|
SSB031 |
Stereotyping the 'Other' |
10 |
2 |
|
SSB034 |
Surveillance Society |
10 |
1 |
|
SSB113 |
Gender and Psychology |
10 |
2 |
|
SSB128 |
Political Psychology |
10 |
1 |
|
SSC138 |
Forensic Psychology |
10 |
1 |
|
SSB221 |
Victimology |
10 |
1 |
|
SSB236 |
Protest and Social Change |
10 |
1 |
|
SSB237 |
Sex Work and Sex Industries |
10 |
2 |
|
SSB234 |
Media, Culture and Crime |
10 |
2 |
|
SSB360 |
The Media in Global Context |
10 |
1 |
|
SSB364 |
Persuasion and Communication |
10 |
2 |
|
SSC030 |
Debating Society |
20 |
2 |
|
SSC031 |
Stereotyping the 'Other' |
20 |
2 |
|
SSC034 |
Surveillance Society |
20 |
1 |
|
SSC113 |
Gender and Psychology |
20 |
2 |
|
SSC128 |
Political Psychology |
20 |
1 |
|
SSC138 |
Forensic Psychology |
20 |
1 |
|
SSC221 |
Victimology |
20 |
1 |
|
SSC236 |
Protest and Social Change |
20 |
1 |
|
SSC237 |
Sex Work and Sex Industries |
20 |
2 |
|
SSC234 |
Media, Culture and Crime |
20 |
2 |
|
SSC360 |
The Media in Global Context |
20 |
1 |
|
SSC364 |
Persuasion and Communication |
20 |
2 |
|
EUB630 |
British Politics |
20 |
1 |
|
EUB601 |
The European Union |
20 |
2 |
Note that students may choose a relative semester weight ration of 50:70, 60:60 or 70:50.
Candidates opting for an Exchange Programme:
(i) Candidates will take the relevant compulsory modules for the semester they will attend at Loughborough.
(ii) Candidates may choose options with a total modular weight of either 20 or 30 for the Semester in which they are in Loughborough. This must include ONE 20 wgt option from the Departmental Options list for the semester in which they are in Loughborough.
(iii) Candidates must select the appropriate module from the list below to give a total modular weight of 120 for the Part.
Exchange Programme modules
|
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
Semester |
|
SSB097 |
Study Abroad Module |
50 |
1 or 2 |
|
SSB098 |
Study Abroad Module |
60 |
1 or 2 |
|
SSB099 |
Study Abroad Module |
70 |
1 or 2 |
(3) Part I
One of the following:
|
Code |
Title |
Sem |
|
SSI001 |
Diploma in Professional Studies Placement (DPS, non credit-bearing) |
1 & 2 |
|
SSI002 or EUI002 |
Diploma in International Studies Placement (DIntS, non credit bearing) or Work Placement (DIntS, non-credit bearing) (For Diploma in International Studies) |
1 & 2 |
|
SSI003 |
Diploma in Industrial Studies Placement (DIS, non credit-bearing) |
1 & 2 |
Students choosing to study on the Exchange One Semester Abroad in Part B will only be allowed to additionally participate in an assistantship or placement year abroad (DIntS, DIS or DPS) in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Department.
(4) Part C - Degree Modules
COMPULSORY MODULES (total 60 modular weight)
|
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
Semester |
|
SSC099 OR SSC499 |
Sociology Project Dissertation OR Professional and Applied Social Sciences Dissertation |
40 |
1 & 2 |
|
SSC032 |
The Individual and Society |
10 |
1 |
|
SSC033 |
Communicating Sociology |
10 |
2 |
OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 60)
Candidates must choose three options with a total modular weight of 60 from the list below. A selection will be offered as follows, plus two 10 wgt language modules.
Module List
A selection will be offered from:
|
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
Semester |
|
SSC030 |
Debating Society |
20 |
2 |
|
SSC031 |
Stereotyping the 'Other' |
20 |
2 |
|
SSC034 |
Surveillance Society |
20 |
1 |
|
SSC113 |
Gender and Psychology |
20 |
2 |
|
SSC128 |
Political Psychology |
20 |
1 |
|
SSC138 |
Forensic Psychology |
20 |
1 |
|
SSC221 |
Victimology |
20 |
1 |
|
SSC236 |
Protest and Social Change |
20 |
1 |
|
SSC237 |
Sex Work and Sex Industries |
20 |
2 |
|
SSC234 |
Media, Culture and Crime |
20 |
2 |
|
SSC360 |
The Media in Global Context |
20 |
1 |
|
SSC364 |
Persuasion and Communication |
20 |
2 |
|
EUC631 |
Yugoslavia: Its 20th Century |
20 |
1 |
|
EUC672 |
The European Union and the Global Political Economy |
20 |
1 |
|
EUC609 |
Spanish-Latin American Relations |
20 |
2 |
|
EUC674 |
Power, Violence and Human Suffering |
20 |
2 |
5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award
In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX.
6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification
Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40% : Part C 60% to determine the final programme percentage mark.
